How Your House Works
A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home, Updated and Expanded
Published on 28. February 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-118-09940-7 (ISBN)
Description
Understand how to maintain everything in your home including the kitchen sink
How Your House Works, Second Edition reinforces the fact that it pays to be an informed consumer. Knowledge of your home's systems helps you control repair and construction costs and makes sure the correct elements are being installed or replaced. How Your House Works uncovers the mysteries behind just about every major appliance and building element in your house. Clear, full-color drawings show you exactly how these things should be put together and how they function, including what to check if they don't work.
Covering topics such as electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows, this updated Second Edition has considerable additional information, with new chapters related to sustainability in and outside the house, as well as new topics, including clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating.
Illustrated guidance on electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows
Includes a wealth of additional information, with new chapters related to sustainability and outside the house
Features new topics that include clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, LED lamps, motion-activated light switches, and passive solar heating
Presented in a richly illustrated with full-color drawings
With see-through, cross-section drawings that show you how things are put together and how they function, How Your House Works supplies you with the knowledge that just might save you having to call in a professional.
How Your House Works, Second Edition reinforces the fact that it pays to be an informed consumer. Knowledge of your home's systems helps you control repair and construction costs and makes sure the correct elements are being installed or replaced. How Your House Works uncovers the mysteries behind just about every major appliance and building element in your house. Clear, full-color drawings show you exactly how these things should be put together and how they function, including what to check if they don't work.
Covering topics such as electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows, this updated Second Edition has considerable additional information, with new chapters related to sustainability in and outside the house, as well as new topics, including clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, and passive solar heating.
Illustrated guidance on electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, major household appliances, foundation, framing, doors, and windows
Includes a wealth of additional information, with new chapters related to sustainability and outside the house
Features new topics that include clock thermostats, ventless gas heaters, moisture and mold, LED lamps, motion-activated light switches, and passive solar heating
Presented in a richly illustrated with full-color drawings
With see-through, cross-section drawings that show you how things are put together and how they function, How Your House Works supplies you with the knowledge that just might save you having to call in a professional.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 276 mm
Width: 215 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
560 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-118-09940-7 (9781118099407)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
08/2018
3rd Edition
R.S. Means Company Ltd
€29.65
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Additional editions
Charlie Wing
How Your House Works
A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home, Updated and Expanded
E-Book
04/2012
2nd Edition
RSMeans
€17.99
Available for download
Charlie Wing
How Your House Works
A Visual Guide to Understanding and Maintaining Your Home, Updated and Expanded
E-Book
01/2012
2nd Edition
RSMeans
€17.99
Available for download
Previous edition
Book
07/2007
R.S. Means Company Ltd
€38.56
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
The author of more than twenty books on home repair and improvement,
Charlie Wing is perhaps the most credible house-building teacher in the world. His writing and illustrations make complex home issues understandable. An MIT graduate, he developed and hosted a national PBS energy conservation series,
Housewarming with Charlie Wing, and served as primary editorial developer for Home Depot's branded 1-2-3 books.
Charlie Wing is perhaps the most credible house-building teacher in the world. His writing and illustrations make complex home issues understandable. An MIT graduate, he developed and hosted a national PBS energy conservation series,
Housewarming with Charlie Wing, and served as primary editorial developer for Home Depot's branded 1-2-3 books.
Content
Introduction xi
About the Author xiii
A Note From the Author xv
Chapter 1. Plumbing 1
The Supply System 2
The Waste System 4
The Vent System 6
Lavatory Pop-up Drain 8
Sink Drain 9
Plunger-Type Tub Drain 10
Pop-up Tub Drain 11
Gravity Flow Toilet 12
Traps & Vents 14
Ball-Type Faucet 16
Cartridge-Type Faucet 17
Disk-Type Faucet 18
Compression-Type Faucet 19
Tempering Valve 20
Tub/Shower Control 21
Hose Bibbs 22
Pitcher (Hand) Pump 23
Jet Pump 24
Submersible Pump 26
Sump Pump 28
Pressure Tank 29
Electric Water Heater 30
Gas Water Heater 31
Electric Tankless Heater 32
Gas Tankless Heater 33
BoilerMate Water Heater 34
Solar Water Heater 35
Charcoal Cartridge Filter 36
Tank Filter 37
Water Softener 38
Reverse Osmosis Filter 40
UV Purifier 41
Fire Sprinklers 42
Chapter 2. Wiring 43
Electrical Circuit 44
Ohm s Law 45
120 & 240 VAC 46
Circuit Breakers & Fuses 47
Service Drop 48
Electromechanical Meter 49
Smart Meter 50
Circuit Grounding 51
Electrical Panels 52
Receptacle 54
GFCI 56
AFCI 57
Single-Pole Switch 58
3- & 4-Way Switches 60
Ceiling Fan/Light Switch 62
Dimmer Switch 64
Flush-Mount Light Fixture 66
Hanging Ceiling Fixture 67
Floor & Table Lamps 68
Fluorescent Lamps 69
CO Detector 70
Battery Smoke Detector 71
Wired Smoke Detectors 72
Chapter 3. Heating 75
Gas Warm Air Furnace 76
Gas Hot Water Boiler 77
Oil Warm Air Furnace 78
Oil Hot Water Boiler 79
Air-Source Heat Pump 80
Ventless Gas Heater 82
Direct-Vent Gas Heater 84
Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace 85
Electric Baseboard Heat 86
Warm Air Distribution 87
Hydronic Distribution 88
Hot Water Radiant Heat 89
Bimetallic Thermostat 90
Chapter 4. Cooling 91
Natural Ventilation 92
Ceiling Fan 93
Whole-House Fan 94
Window Air Conditioner 95
Central Air Conditioner 96
Evaporative Cooler 97
Chapter 5. Air Quality 99
Moisture & Mold 100
Humidifier 102
Dehumidifier 103
Furnace Filter 104
Electronic Air Cleaner 105
Chapter 6. Appliances 107
Dishwasher 108
Top-Loading Clothes Washer 110
Electric Clothes Dryer 112
Gas Clothes Dryer 113
Electric Range/Oven 114
Gas Range/Oven 115
Microwave Oven 116
Garbage Disposer 117
Refrigerator/Freezer 118
Icemaker 120
Trash Compactor 121
Vacuum Cleaners 122
Chapter 7. Windows & Doors 125
Double-Hung Window 126
Casement Window 128
Cylinder Lock 129
Deadbolt & Keyed Knob 130
Garage Door Opener 131
Chapter 8. Foundation & Frame 133
Footings 134
Drainage 135
Radon Abatement 136
Pier Foundation 137
Slab Foundation 138
Full Foundation 139
Crawl Space 140
Grade Beam 141
Forces on the Frame 142
Beams in Bending 144
Framing Members 146
Post & Beam Frame 148
Plank & Beam Frame 149
Balloon Frame 150
Platform Frame 151
Advanced (OVE) Frame 152
Chapter 9. Outdoors 153
4-Cycle Gasoline Engine 154
2-Cycle Gasoline Engine 156
Chain Saw 158
Lawn Mower 160
Gas String Trimmer 162
Pool Pump & Filter 163
Lawn Sprinkler System 164
Septic System 166
Chapter 10. Toward Sustainability 169
Clock Thermostat 170
Air-Tight Wood Stove 171
Pellet Stove 172
Ground-Source Heat Pump 174
Passive Solar Heating 176
Natural Ventilation 178
Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger 179
Low-E Windows 180
Window Insulating Panel 182
Motion-Activated Switch 184
Compact Fluorescent Lamp 186
LED Lamp 187
Solar Pool Heater 188
Pool Cover 189
Front-Loading Washer 190
Index 191
About the Author xiii
A Note From the Author xv
Chapter 1. Plumbing 1
The Supply System 2
The Waste System 4
The Vent System 6
Lavatory Pop-up Drain 8
Sink Drain 9
Plunger-Type Tub Drain 10
Pop-up Tub Drain 11
Gravity Flow Toilet 12
Traps & Vents 14
Ball-Type Faucet 16
Cartridge-Type Faucet 17
Disk-Type Faucet 18
Compression-Type Faucet 19
Tempering Valve 20
Tub/Shower Control 21
Hose Bibbs 22
Pitcher (Hand) Pump 23
Jet Pump 24
Submersible Pump 26
Sump Pump 28
Pressure Tank 29
Electric Water Heater 30
Gas Water Heater 31
Electric Tankless Heater 32
Gas Tankless Heater 33
BoilerMate Water Heater 34
Solar Water Heater 35
Charcoal Cartridge Filter 36
Tank Filter 37
Water Softener 38
Reverse Osmosis Filter 40
UV Purifier 41
Fire Sprinklers 42
Chapter 2. Wiring 43
Electrical Circuit 44
Ohm s Law 45
120 & 240 VAC 46
Circuit Breakers & Fuses 47
Service Drop 48
Electromechanical Meter 49
Smart Meter 50
Circuit Grounding 51
Electrical Panels 52
Receptacle 54
GFCI 56
AFCI 57
Single-Pole Switch 58
3- & 4-Way Switches 60
Ceiling Fan/Light Switch 62
Dimmer Switch 64
Flush-Mount Light Fixture 66
Hanging Ceiling Fixture 67
Floor & Table Lamps 68
Fluorescent Lamps 69
CO Detector 70
Battery Smoke Detector 71
Wired Smoke Detectors 72
Chapter 3. Heating 75
Gas Warm Air Furnace 76
Gas Hot Water Boiler 77
Oil Warm Air Furnace 78
Oil Hot Water Boiler 79
Air-Source Heat Pump 80
Ventless Gas Heater 82
Direct-Vent Gas Heater 84
Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace 85
Electric Baseboard Heat 86
Warm Air Distribution 87
Hydronic Distribution 88
Hot Water Radiant Heat 89
Bimetallic Thermostat 90
Chapter 4. Cooling 91
Natural Ventilation 92
Ceiling Fan 93
Whole-House Fan 94
Window Air Conditioner 95
Central Air Conditioner 96
Evaporative Cooler 97
Chapter 5. Air Quality 99
Moisture & Mold 100
Humidifier 102
Dehumidifier 103
Furnace Filter 104
Electronic Air Cleaner 105
Chapter 6. Appliances 107
Dishwasher 108
Top-Loading Clothes Washer 110
Electric Clothes Dryer 112
Gas Clothes Dryer 113
Electric Range/Oven 114
Gas Range/Oven 115
Microwave Oven 116
Garbage Disposer 117
Refrigerator/Freezer 118
Icemaker 120
Trash Compactor 121
Vacuum Cleaners 122
Chapter 7. Windows & Doors 125
Double-Hung Window 126
Casement Window 128
Cylinder Lock 129
Deadbolt & Keyed Knob 130
Garage Door Opener 131
Chapter 8. Foundation & Frame 133
Footings 134
Drainage 135
Radon Abatement 136
Pier Foundation 137
Slab Foundation 138
Full Foundation 139
Crawl Space 140
Grade Beam 141
Forces on the Frame 142
Beams in Bending 144
Framing Members 146
Post & Beam Frame 148
Plank & Beam Frame 149
Balloon Frame 150
Platform Frame 151
Advanced (OVE) Frame 152
Chapter 9. Outdoors 153
4-Cycle Gasoline Engine 154
2-Cycle Gasoline Engine 156
Chain Saw 158
Lawn Mower 160
Gas String Trimmer 162
Pool Pump & Filter 163
Lawn Sprinkler System 164
Septic System 166
Chapter 10. Toward Sustainability 169
Clock Thermostat 170
Air-Tight Wood Stove 171
Pellet Stove 172
Ground-Source Heat Pump 174
Passive Solar Heating 176
Natural Ventilation 178
Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger 179
Low-E Windows 180
Window Insulating Panel 182
Motion-Activated Switch 184
Compact Fluorescent Lamp 186
LED Lamp 187
Solar Pool Heater 188
Pool Cover 189
Front-Loading Washer 190
Index 191